Leopard Wrasse Ornate

Also known as Ornate Leopard Wrasse, Vermiculite Wrasse

The Ornate Leopard Wrasse is an exquisitely patterned species displaying intricate vermiculated markings. This sand-dwelling specialist requires advanced care but is among the most beautiful of the leopard wrasses.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Macropharyngodon ornatus
• Common Names: Ornate Leopard Wrasse, Vermiculated Wrasse
• Adult Size: Up to 5 inches
• Lifespan: 3-5 years with proper care
• Temperament: Peaceful and reef safe
• Reef Compatibility: Reef safe
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons minimum
• Experience Level: Advanced; requires specialized care

Habitat & Tank Requirements

• Tank Environment: CRITICAL: Requires minimum 2-3 inches of fine sand substrate for burying behavior. Provide live rock with caves but maintain open sand bed areas. Well-established tanks with mature sand beds and abundant microfauna are essential for success.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.020-1.025
  • pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Pristine water quality absolutely essential
• Equipment Recommendations:
  • High-quality protein skimmer
  • Efficient filtration system
  • Gentle to moderate water flow

Diet & Feeding

Ornate Leopard Wrasses are carnivorous microfauna hunters with demanding dietary needs:

• Staples: Live copepods, live amphipods (essential for initial acclimation and ongoing health)
• Frozen Foods: Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, cyclops, finely chopped seafood (once well-acclimated)
• Live Foods: Live blackworms, live brine shrimp, live copepods (critical during transition)
• Feeding Frequency: 3-4 times daily in small portions
• Special Note: Most difficult leopard wrasse to transition to prepared foods; may require ongoing live food supplementation

Notes & Considerations

• Displays intricate vermiculated (worm-like) patterns creating ornate appearance.
• Completely reef safe; will not harm corals but actively hunts microfauna.
• Buries completely in sand at night and when stressed; essential natural behavior.
• MOST DIFFICULT leopard wrasse species to maintain; expert-level care required.
• It requires a mature tank with a thriving copepod population in a sand bed.
• Often arrives severely emaciated; immediate live food access critical.
• Many specimens never fully adapt to prepared foods in captivity.
• Extremely sensitive to water quality, stress, and competition for food.
• Fine, sandy substrate is absolutely mandatory for survival.
• Best kept as single specimens.
• Must have peaceful tankmates; cannot compete with aggressive feeders.
• Higher mortality rate than other leopard wrasse species.

Why Choose a Quarantined Ornate Leopard Wrasse?

Quarantined Ornate Leopard Wrasses receive the most extensive conditioning of any species we offer. Specimens are observed for multiple weeks, confirmed feeding consistently on both live and prepared foods, and have gained substantial healthy weight. This critical quarantine period is essential for this challenging species and dramatically improves survival rates.